Preparing for Pre-Employment Math Testing

Objectives

Time frame to Complete

1. Students will become familiar with different types of

math problems
2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of math word
problems

90 minutes

Standard(s) Addressed in Lesson

Benchmark(s) Addressed in Lesson
Materials

Using Math to Solve Problems and Communicate

M.4.2; M.4.3; M.4.25; M.4.28; M. 4.34; M.4.35

Information handout
Sample problems (two handouts) based on math concepts in real life settings (answer keys provided)
Scrap paper
Pencils

Activities
Step 1 Introduce students to the concept of reading word problems for meaning. Distribute handout #1 with
information on keywords for the four basic math operations plus the five step word problem solving process.
Step 2 Using handout #2 (sample word problems, go over locating key words and key information to solve the
five problems presented.) Do these problems on the board.
Step 3 Distribute handout #3 and ask the students to solve the problems independently (Handout #3 has
sample questions based on the U.S. Census Bureau Practice Test for field employees). Once students have
completed the problems go over the answer orally.

Assessment/Evidence
Handout #2 and #3 contain math practice problems to assess students understanding of solving math problems
based on real life settings.

Adaptations for Beginning Students

Beginning students may need to go over the information contained in handout #1 on keywords for solving the four
basic math operations. Instructors may need to present examples of practice problems on the board. Beginning
students may need to check their work with calculator.

Adaptations for Advanced Students

Advanced students should be doing the practice problems from handout #2 and #3 with speed and accuracy.
These students should not need to use a calculator to complete the problems.

Key Words for Understating Basic Math Operations

and Five-Step Problem Solving Process
(Handout #1)

ADDITION

SUBTRACTION MULTIPLICATION

DIVISION

add

subtract

times

split

total

difference

of

share

sum

minus

percent of

average

more

less

product

dividend

how many in all? take away

twice

quotient

profit

loss

three times

increase

decrease

multiple

Steps to Solving Process

1. Understand the question
2. Find the information you need to solve the problem.
3. Make a plan to solve the problem.
4. Solve the problem.
5. Check the answer.

Handout #2
In many workplace settings, workers need to know how to do basic computation
problems involving decimals, percents, and fractions. Sometimes you may also know
how to do word problems. You may encounter problems involving measurement and
time.

1. You are a cashier at a grocery store. Your customer, David, buys a pound of bacon
$1.39, one dozen eggs for $1.29, and a pound of coffee for $2.79. What is the sum
total of his purchases? If David gives you $10.00 what is his correct change?

2. Wanda baked 168 cookies, packaged them in boxes of 12, and sold each box for
$1.20. How many boxes of 12 can be packaged if there are 168 cookies? What was
the total amount of money that Wanda made for all of the boxes sold?

3. Mary charges $8.50 per hour to clean a house. If she works 25 hours, how much
does she earn in one week?

4. William earned $9.50 an hour. He worked 40 hours one week and received a bonus
of $75.00. How much did he earn that week?

5. Each truck from Jones Removal Company can haul 500 pounds of trash at a time.
On Wednesday the company has jobs to remove 1,500 pounds of trash from one
site, 500 from another site, and 2,500 from a third site. How many total pounds of
trash will be moved by Jones Company that day? How many trips will it take for the
Jones Company to remove all of the trash?

Handout #3
1.

.41 + 21.4 + 6.3 + 280

2.

17. 2 x 40 =

3.

Mr. Ortiz has to successfully interview 90% of his assigned households. He was
assigned 500 households. He has interviewed 430 households so far. Has he met
his goal?

4.

Your new cell phone battery needs to be charged for 3 hours and 45 minutes before
using it. If you plug the battery into the charger at 8:20 a.m., you should wait till what
time before using it?

5.

2610.0 miles - 2554.8 miles =

6.

What is 80% of $1,200?

7.

Joan order carpet that was 11/16 inch thick. The pad underneath was 5/8 inch thick.
How much thicker is the carpet than the pad?

8.

A customer wants to purchase new carpet, her bedroom measures 12 ft by 15 ft.

How many sq. yards does the customer need to buy?

9.

Danielle got to work at 9:30 in the morning. She worked a six hour day plus she took
at 45 min lunch break. What time did Danielle leave work if she worked 6 hours and
took a 45 min lunch?

10.

Mike works as a waiter in a restaurant. A couple comes in to have dinner and spend
$45.00. Mike needs to add on 6% sales tax to the couples bill. Mike also knows
they will tip 15% on the original bill. Including the tax and tip, what is the total
amount of money the couple should give Mike?

Answer Key for Handout #2

1. Add $1.39 Subtract $10.00
1.29
- 5.47
+2.79
$4.53
$5.47
Answer 1: $5.47 (Total spent)

Answer 2: $4.53 (Change)

2. Divide 168 12 = 14
Multiply $1.20 x 14 = $16.80
Answer 1: 14 Boxes

Answer 2: $16.80

3. Multiply 25 hours x $8.50 =

Answer: $212.50
4. Multiply $9.50 x 40 = $380.00
Add bonus $75.00 + $380.00= $455.00
$380.00
+ 75.00
$455.00
Answer: $455.00
5. Add: 1500
2500
+ 500
4500

4,500 500 = 9

Answer 1: 4500 lbs. (Total)

Answer 2: 9 Trips

Answer Key for Handout #3

1. Add 280.00
21.40
6.30
.41
308.71
Answer: 308.71
2. Multiply

17.2
x 40

Answer: 688.0
3. No, he has not met his goal. He has only interviewed 530 households. He needs 90%
of 500.
Multiply: 500
x .90
Answer: 450
4.

8:20 + 3 hours = 11:20

+ 0:45 minutes = 12: 05 P.m.
Answer: 12:05 p.m.

5. Subtract: 2610.0
- 2554.8
Answer:

55. 2 miles

6.

80%= .8
1,200 x .8 = $960
Answer: $960

7.

5/8 = 10/16
11/16 10/16 = 1/16
Answer: The carpet is 1/16 thicker

8.

Convert 15 ft to 5 yd (15 3 = 5)
Convert 12 ft to 4 yd (12 3 = 4)
4 yd x 5 yd = 20 sq yards
Answer = 20 sq yards

9.

9:30 am + 6 hours worked = 3:30 pm

3:30 pm + 45 min break = 4:15 pm
Answer: 4:15 pm

10.

$45 x .06 (6% = .06) = $2.70

$45 x .15 (15% =.15) = $6.75
2.70 + 6.75 +45.00 = $54.45
Answer: $54.45